MMV - Boring Build?

atkinsar

I'm probably risking the wrath of many here, given that this is such a well loved set, but I found 10193 - Medieval Market Village (http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=10193-1) really tedious to build.

I've had a great run on builds recently because I've built up such a backlog, so recently I've had the pleasure of picking and choosing and built the T1 Camper Van, Fire Brigade and AC Earth Defense HQ, and I really enjoyed the build on all of those. I couldn't wait to get started on the MMV but for some reason I just found it so boring to build, I was really struggling for motivation to finish it. I also had some serious stability issues whilst building the upper floors of the blue house especially when working on the roof section.

By the way, I love the finished set, so it was worth it in the end.

Anyone else have the same issue or am I in a camp of one?

bricknation

Nothing is more boring than building of Robie House

kor

I enjoyed it. I ended up parting mine out and bought another one to build.

Robie House looks almost painful to build.

luckyruss

@atkinsar, have to say I agree with you. I've had mine a while and haven't built recently, and did think at the time that it wasn't the most interesting or rewarding of builds. I recall just placing together lots of 1x1 and 1x2 medium blue bricks!

However, it is great once it's finished. It's also brilliant (as mentioned elsewhere) for medieval-style modular building MOCs (or even for just creating a Midsomer-style summer village fete!), which is what I've been using the pieces for more recently.

Not planning to get Robie House, so won't subject myself to that one...

LegoFanTexas

What was painful about MMV? I haven't built it yet, have one sitting here to build and display, another to build then part out for the kids. We have not yet built any castle stuff, still on city with the kids, so this will wait until the kids are off for Christmas to build.

What is wrong with it?

@bricknation & @kor - I agree with you, Robie House looks like a nightmare. We have it to build, but I'm going to be happy to "let" my wife build that one. ;)

nerick906

To be honest I bought it, but when I was meant to start I was already not satisfied. Don't know why, I'm really fine with all kind of sets except duplo, but MMV was not that great as it looks. As a complete set looks brilliant, but for me as a built is kind of boring.

bluelion3

I made a big mistake trying to build the MMV without sorting the parts first. I tried to find the parts from the bags as I built it. It took forever... It would benefit greatly from having numbered bags.

andhe

Agreed some bits were a bit fiddly, the roofing sounds about right, and the tree breaks at the slightest knock, even when built. That said, I enjoyed it as I was looking forward to the final product. I guess it depends what you are looking for in a build.

atkinsar

I think possibly that I got bored building all the little sets prior to starting on the main buildings, there just an awful lot of meh before you get to the good stuff. Then, on the second main building I just got terribly frustrated with the roof and supports, although I'm willing to admit that my building environment was not optimal on this build (in front of the TV).

Have to say, I agree about the numbered bags, this set could really have benefited from it. I don't like the bags being numbered in all sets, but this one, yes.

brickupdate

My experience was partially similar to you @atkinsar in that I wanted to get right to the main buildings, but had to build all the accessories first. That tree - TOTALLY agree, it's always falling apart. Luckily, I did sort everything into different containers - so many small pieces in that set!

andhe

You don't HAVE to build the small stuff first, that's just how they lay out the instructions 'for the kids y'know'. I often skip the figs and stuff and go straight to the main build. I got this set off eBay so came in a plastic bag, in the box. I would have appreciated the numbered bags!

bluemoose

What can I say, I enjoyed the build :o)

madforLEGO

I think everyone is just trying to discourage people from buying it so they can sell their when it gets discontinued... j/k.
I have not yet built mine, but I am wagering it would be a bit tedious. you can really tell by the way the buildings look on the box.. I'd imagine plenty of 1x1 and 1x2 brick in this, but the stability to issues are getting kind of annoying with LEGO. I know they want to design the best sets out there, but if it is at the cost of stability then what is the point?
Also,
If you have not built a Market street then you kinda get the idea of pain when you build the MMV apparently. Market street is tedious to say the least. A HUGE amount of 1x2's... may as well be an 80's King's castle...lol

MinifigsMe

I enjoyed the build, but it was one of my earliest big build sets (after the fire brigade). I did it with my husband, a building each, and it was perfect for splitting like that, as both take a similar time, and there's lots to show each other as you go along.
But I tend to look forward to doing the minifigs and little bits (though they're worth saving for whoever finishes the main building first if you're splitting it)

atkinsar

You don't HAVE to build the small stuff first, that's just how they lay out the instructions 'for the kids y'know'.

A good point well made!

mnbvc

I loved the build, although it was my first new build out of my dark ages; maybe I'd feel differently about it now. However, it was obviously good enough to convince me to buy Fire Brigade, Grand Emporium etc!

I really like the end result of Tower Bridge, but if you want a boring build, that's the one - it was so repetitive, and getting those tan cheeses straight drives you insane after a while.

julian977

Having sorted it into colours with the kids, we quite enjoyed the MMV build, but as above, the tree looks lovely but falls apart in a light gust of wind!

Eric

YES! I just finished building mine, and I thought it was just me, just not in the mood. I skipped to the main build, only to give up with boredom half way through and jump back to the little fiddly things at the beginning. I found those more interesting.

I had read all the hype surrounding it on this forum, and was expecting a super-fantastic build with an even better finished product. The build was bleh, but the finished product is great. :D

pantenkind

I found it boring, along with the christmas sets....toy shop, post office, bakery....I think the main problem for me is they are comprised of ALOT of small parts. I dont mind some small parts for detail and such but when the whole thing seems to be small parts it gets old fast. All the sets I mentioned looked stunning when done though so you work through them for the end result. I would never want to build any of them twice though.

bmwlego

This set was frustrating to build due to constant roof collapses. That being said I own 3 of this set. Great parts set.

Quite possibly my least favorite building experience in the 5+ years I've been out of my Dark Ages.

With regards to the bags, I can't stand having to rummage through all of the bags looking for a part. It is like playing memory when you ar searching for pieces which adds so much time to the builds. I guess LEGO thinks we might feel cheated if we finish a build quickly but I really can't stand this oart of the hobby. It is like reverse sorting and sorting is THE worst part of being an AFOL.

coolpix

This set is number one on my future purchase list, specially because I strongly believe it will be out of production right after Xmas, but you guys got me scared here :)

Now, every set has some dull moments while building, at least for me, so I don't think this is a big deal. Most of you probably assembled "better" sets, like Cafe Corner or Green Grocer, so it's normal to feel a bit bored on a set like this.

StuBoy

I quite enjoyed the build. Mind you, it was a few years ago now, and wasn't long out of my Dark Age, but I still think I'd enjoy it now. The buildings aren't that big and they've got a lot of details that kept it interesting.

MinifigsMe

Do you guys leave parts in the bags? That seems tedious. I don't do any major sorting, but I empty each one into a shallow pot/tray, so that pieces are spread out. I tend to take all the biggest parts out, so the smaller ones are easier to spot. Works for me anyway.

atkinsar

^ I don't, I use a couple one or two plastic containers, depends on the size of the set.

It is not my intention to put anyone off buying this set, the end result is worth it.

princedraven

^ I took mine back yesterday after reading your post! :p

atkinsar

Oh good, the secret plan is working then ;o)

Tocko

This was one of the first sets I built after coming out my dark ages (first ones being winter toy shop and bakery). I don't agree with most of you, I really enjoyed the build.
I just ordered 5 more from amazon.fr, they are selling them for 75€.
Build enjoyment bar was since raised considerably by Green Grocer and is yet to be beaten.
Just out of curiosity, a question for everyone who found MMV build tedious. What was your most enjoyable build?

Matthew

I honestly can't remember the build of my MMV, but I never finished the Winter Bakery last year. I got it for Christmas, and I put off building it until several days after. It then sat, with a few plates and tiles on the base, for ages, until
I put it back in the box for 'next year'. I'll probably build it at the beginning of December, along with my currently MISB Toy Shop and Post Office.

atkinsar

Just out of curiosity, a question for everyone who found MMV build tedious. What was your most enjoyable build?

In recent memory, definitely the T1 Camper Van. Going further back, the Death Star was great fun.

Jasen

I quite liked the Beach house :)

pantenkind

I have my lego trays (the lids from a couple of the generic lego tubs I have purchased that I dump the bags on. I try to keep the contents of the bags in the same spot so at least I have a general idea where to look for parts. Works good for me. As far as my favorite builds I would have to say the modular buildings and pirate type ships are usually my favs. I also agree that the death star is a fun build as well.

LegoFanTexas

The Death Star was amazing (10188), for the memory value and the size and part count.

LegoFanTexas

BTW, for sorting, rubbermaid containers for food work really well. We have multiple sizes ranging from very small to large. Each bag goes into a single container, easy to find the parts, easy to move them around as needed for the build.

Rollo_Tomassi

If some of y'all are trying to discourage us from getting this I'll have you know it didn't work. This is my next purchase when Black Friday hits. :-)

coolpix

^ Mine too. It's on the list, and if I get the 50% off scratch-off, I'll probably add a second one to my order.

mobricki

Funny story about this set. I bought one just for the parts and then when I got it I decided to try to build it but I got bored and parted it. Now most of the pieces are in one of my modular mocs.